Afflerbach Says Call's Story About Kratzer Is 'Yellow Journalism'

May 01, 1986|by JEFFREY G. FLEISHMAN, The Morning Call

State Rep. Roy Afflerbach, a candidate for the 16th District Senate seat, attacked The Morning Call yesterday over an article regarding his possible opponent, Sen. Guy Kratzer, who had to be taken by ambulance from the Senate chamber, allegedly because of an alcohol-related problem, on March 19.

The Morning Call's "article regarding Sen. Kratzer is the most monstrous piece of yellow journalism by The Call that I have seen during my 15 years in the state Legislature," said Afflerbach at a press conference in front of the newspaper's office at 6th and Linden streets in Allentown. The article appeared yesterday.

Afflerbach said Kratzer, who recently switched from Republican to independent after the GOP refused to back him in a re-election bid, has been unjustifiably attacked by the newspaper. Afflerbach, however, did not offer proof the story was inaccurate.

"Alcoholism is a serious illness. The Call's continued attacks upon Sen. Kratzer for his alleged affliction with this illness serves neither the senator nor the public in being able to come to terms with this debilitating social problem," said Afflerbach, D-131st District, in a prepared statement.

"The most scandalous part of The Call news story, however, is the fact that it was based entirely upon rumors of the incident and . . . " unnamed Senate sources, said Afflerbach.

Morning Call Executive Editor Lawrence H. Hymans said the sources "were double-checked and triple-checked . . . they were flesh-and-blood people who work in the Senate every day with Kratzer." Hymans said the story was carefully verified, adding that the incident occurred on March 19 and the newspaper checked its facts before writing the story.

Hymans also said The Call asked Kratzer about the incident and the senator would not say if he had been drinking that day. Kratzer blamed the incident on a "combination of factors" and cold medicine he was taking at the time, according to the article. The senator also responded, "I was ill, big deal."

It is possible that Afflerbach could face Kratzer in the November election. Although Kratzer has not said whether he is running, he has alluded to the possibility several times.

One reporter asked Afflerbach if his support for Kratzer was a "ploy" to get votes from Kratzer followers if the incumbent does not run. Afflerbach said this was not the case, adding that it could hurt his standing with voters who are unhappy with Kratzer and want him out of office.

Afflerbach was also asked if he held the press conference in an effort to keep Kratzer in the race. Both Democratic and GOP officials have said it would help Afflerbach if Kratzer runs in the general election because Kratzer would pull votes from Lehigh County Executive David K. Bausch, who will most likely win the GOP nomination.

Afflerbach responded, "My advice to Sen. Kratzer is that he should not run as an independent. . . . He has not filed as a candidate for re-election and presents no political threat to anyone except himself." The representative said his intention was to protect Kratzer and other politicians from such news media "attacks."

"Why The Morning Call feels the necessity to continue to impale an obviously ill man upon its self-construed sword of righteousness is a question which begs an answer," Afflerbach said.

Kratzer could not be reached for comment.

Afflerbach said he had heard rumors that Kratzer had to be taken from the Senate floor. He also said, "Obviously you would not want an impaired individual making serious decisions."

On March 19, Kratzer was taken from the Senate floor by an ambulance following a late-morning session in which he voted on nine bills. Before the ambulance arrived he was examined by the Senate nurse. The 45-year-old senator was taken to the nearby Harrisburg Hospital. He declined to make public the hospital records from the emergency room.

Kratzer, who fell out of grace with the GOP following a drunken driving charge in 1984 and for other undisclosed reasons, said in a recent interview that he would be a strong independent candidate because he appeals to both Democrats and Republicans.

The possibility of Kratzer winning as an independent is "virtually nil," said Afflerbach. "First of all, statistically the chances are nil, and he would also have to subject himself to this type of reporting."